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Originally Posted by 4chickens  Hi Qwerty,
Would you mind giving me some tips? I'm planning on getting a couple call ducks soon. I already have chickens and am working on a small pond. Is there anything you wish you'd done or not done before you got them? |
Sure! Hey, good choice of duck. Call ducks are perfect for first time owners are intelligent and fun, and can become very tame. Make your pond aboud 30 cm deep, and nice and long and wide For about 4 or so call ducks. Slope one bank so small creatures can get out if they fall in.
Remember to clean it every weekend! Put in the pen some boulders, rocks and logs to create a natural enviroment. Try and place your pen under a tree for added protection. If you want to put them in a hutch a night (advised) then I strongly recommend building your own, because ones at the shop cost a bomb! Make it about 1m cubed, and give it a lift off lid so you can collect eggs and so you can change the straw every weekend. when you first get the tiny cute cheepers, keep them in a cardboard box indoors with a bedding of paper. And underneath the paper, put a plastic bag there to keep the box dry. Keep them under a heat lamp, but turn it off if they pant and at night-time. They will cheep like mad, so to soothe them, you could croo like a pidgoen. works for me!
also give them a large, deep plate of water each day so they learn to wash and preen. Start by feeding them starter crumbs, then slowly moving on to layers pellets and cornstuffs. Then, when you think your ready, take them outside every now and then, slowly progressing into them sleeping in the hutch. Dont do it to quickly though. IMPORTANT: Fence off the pond when they are ducklings. They cant swim at first! I would advise getting them sometime in the holidays so you can care for them properly. (SUMMER HOLIDAYS! SUMMER HOLIDAYS! SUMMER HOLIDAYS!
Or is that a bit soon?) PHEW!
That was a long type. hope this helps. here is a link to a useful book.
Amazon.co.uk: Starting with Ducks (Starting with): Katie Thear: Books